The sun dipped low across the land as night descended upon Equestria. For some, another long day of hard work had finally come to a close, while others were just beginning their evening under Luna's watchful eye. In Ponyville, things had mostly settled down. Few chose to keep late hours, and those that did only did so long enough to finish a few last minute things before finally retiring. Others, particularly a certain Princess of Friendship would stay up the entire night if they were allowed to by the Changeling Queen staring at them from their mattress.
"It's late, Twilight." Chrysalis said, yawning from their bed. "Come to bed."
"Just let me finish these last few-" Twilight began before she was interrupted.
"Bed, Twilight." Chrysalis insisted in a tone that left little room for debate. "It can wait til tomorrow."
"You know," Twilight sighed, finishing one last sentence before setting her quill down and blowing out the light. "For a queen you certainly spend a lot of your time lounging about."
"Yeah?" Chrysalis snipped back, watching her come to bed. "Well, for a princess you sure work like a drone."
"Scooch." Twilight said, giving her a light push to get more room before setting down. "Lazybug."
"Workaholic." Twilight heard Chrysalis say as she pulled the covers up over them and turned away. She was about to continue the chain of jabs but a yawn cut her halfway off. She curled up a bit more under the covers and decided to let Chrysalis have this one. There was always tomorrow.
"Hey." She felt Chrysalis lightly poke her and sighed, turning around to face her.
"Mmm?"
"I Love You." Chrysalis said carefully, looking deep into Twilight's eyes as she said it to make certain she was heard clearly.
She didn't need her ability to taste emotion see the look of surprise on Twilight's face before the alicorn smiled at her. "You've...never told me that before." She observed sleepily.
Chrysalis smirked. Of course. Ponies did not understand the words "I Love You." as changelings did. Too often would they say it casually, as a farewell, or to express how much they enjoyed something. They did this without a second thought, ignorant of the powerful meaning that a changeling knew the words should always carry when spoken. For any changeling, despite what the other races believed, Love was more than just food. Love was life in it's purest form. Love was that which nourished the body and gave it strength. It allowed one to grow and survive. It provided warmth in the coldest winter and protection from the fiercest foes. Love was the most precious thing in the world; And it is because changelings saw it for the precious thing that it was, that they guarded jealously that which they had collected.
Between two changelings, draining Love was impossible. However it was possible for one changeling to transfer Love to another, leaving the giver sickly but invigorating the receiver. Such transfers always resulted in a loss of some of the Love, meaning they still had to seek out and harvest Love from the other species. Thus, the only reason to ever do such a thing was either to sacrifice one's self to empower and nourish the Queen, or to show the depths of one's Love for another.
Therefore, the simple phrase "I Love You." took on a powerful meaning for the changelings. To say those words was to convey the purest form of Love; that which is given of oneself with all that one has and expecting nothing in return. To say "I Love You" was to deny one's own hunger, growth, warmth, and protection in service to someone else. It was to say that, to that changeling, the other person was more precious than life itself.
"Well, I'm saying it now." Chrysalis replied, resting her head against Twilight's. No, ponies did not understand Love the way changelings did. Not even their precious pink pest of a Princess of Love, Cadance didn't get it. Not even Twilight understood completely, and she probably knew and understood changelings better than any pony in Equestria.
But, Chrysalis supposed as she closed her eyes to go to sleep, that's alright.
"I love you, too Chrysalis." She heard Twilight murmur as she pressed up against her, and Chrysalis felt herself smile.
Maybe one day she'll understand.